Reports: Producer of Puerto Rico TV show resigns

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The producer of a popular news and gossip show in Puerto Rico that features a puppet has resigned, a local television station confirmed Wednesday.

The resignation of comedian Antulio "Kobbo" Santarrosa comes a month after the puppet, known as La Comay, made controversial comments about a publicist who was slain in November.

After local media reports of the resignation, WAPA TV spokeswoman Migdaliz Ortiz issued a statement saying Santarrosa had decided on his own to quit. She thanked him for his 14 years with the station.

The puppet on Dec. 4 questioned why the victim, who was set on fire and beaten to death, was on a street known for its drugs and prostitutes and whether the man "was asking for this" by being there.

Shortly afterward, more than 73,800 people joined a Facebook page demanding that the "SuperXclusivo" show be taken off the air. Several companies withdrew their sponsorship of the program, which has angered many people because of its sensationalist style and derogatory comments about women and gays.

In late December, WAPA President Joe Ramos said the program would be prerecorded.

On Wednesday, WAPA broadcast a movie during the show's usual time slot.